For the first time in a decade, the Carolina Panthers returned to the top of the NFC South.Their breakthrough season ended in January with a home wild-card thriller, where they pushed Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams to the brink.After picking up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option and adding key pieces across the roster, the Panthers enter 2026 with higher expectations as the team eyes a second consecutive division title.
But Carolina’s offensive line took another hit Tuesday, creating the latest test for a unit charged with protecting the former No.1 overall pick.Taylor Moton, the Panthers veteran starting right tackle, will be sidelined when the regular season kicks off in September.
Moton learned in late June that doctors had discovered a blood clot in his left lung.The Panthers confirmed on Tuesday that the 31-year-old will miss the start of the season.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMTaylor Moton No.
72 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov.9, 2023.
(Ryan Kang/Getty Images)Moton’s setback comes with starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.Ekwonu suffered the injury during the Panthers’ playoff game.Ekwonu underwent emergency appendectomy surgery last August.BRONCOS STAR QUARTERBACK BO NIX UNDERWENT SECOND PROCEDURE ON SURGICALLY REPAIRED ANKLE: REPORTMoton was moved to the non-football injury list, joining two-time Pro Bowl defensive back Jaycee Horn.The cornerback missed a Week 12 game against the San Francisco 49ers last season but finished the year with 16 game appearances.
Horn landed on the non-football injury list this week after cutting his foot while running, according to the Panthers.Jaycee Horn (8) of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the first half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on Jan.10, 2026, in Charlotte...